not possible to say too much about Christ. But it is quite possible to say too little about bell.
Let the concluding words of our Lord ring in our ears, as we leave the passage : — " Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." Let us make sure that we have in our hearts the saving grace of the Holy Ghost, sanctifying, purifying, preserving from corruption, our whole inward man. Let us watch tbe grace given to us with daily watchfulness, and pray to be kept from carelessness and sin, lest we be overtaken in faults, bring misery on our consciences, and discredit on our profession. Above all let us live in peace one with another, not seeking great things, or striving for the pre-eminence, but clothed with humility, and loving all who love Christ in sincerity. These seem simple things. But in at- tending to them is great reward.*
* The last verse but one in the passage now expounded, appears to baffle all the commentators. I allude of course to the words, "Every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt." . The true meaning of these words and their connexion with the context, are problems which seem not yet solved. At all events, not one of the many interpretations which have been hitherto proposed is entirely satisfactory. We must confess that it is one of those knots which are yet untied in the exposition of Scripture.
1. Some think that our Lord is speaking only of the wicked and their future punishment, and that He means — " Every lost soul shall be salted with the fire of hell, even as every sacrifice under the law of Moses is salted with salt." This appears to be the view held by Whitby.
2. Some think that our Lord is speaking only of the righteous and their fiery trials in this life, by which they are purified and preserved from corruption; and that He means — "Every true dis- ciple of mine shall be as it were suited and passed through the tire of tribulation, even as every sacrifice is salted with salt." Of those who think that our Lord speaks only of the righteous, some think
195